Chapter 77: Two Leaves Decide the Victor!

Chapter 77: Two Leaves Decide the Victor!

“If the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path doesn’t show up within the time it takes to burn an incense stick, I’ll carve two more characters on the Heavenly Mending Platform!”

Han Ming’s thunderous voice echoed across the land, commanding attention and respect.

The cultivators in the crowd broke into fervent discussions. Though the disciples of the Taixuan Sect frowned, none dared insult him—Han Ming’s actions followed proper etiquette, and his boldness was undeniable.

After a month of anticipation, the absence of the Sword Sovereign left even Taixuan Sect disciples disappointed.

On the city wall, Zuo Lin exhaled in relief. Although he believed Han Ming was no match for the Sword Sovereign, his time spent with Han Ming over the past month made him fear for his master’s safety.

Beside him, Zuo Yijian gazed into the distance. His intuition told him that the Sword Sovereign would surely appear.

The chatter in the city grew louder.

High above on a gourd-shaped artifact, Jiang Qiong whispered, “Could the Sword Sovereign really be the Sect Master?”

“It’s possible,” replied Hu Mo, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “Though Han Ming is not much stronger than Chu Xian, defeating him would require the Sword Sovereign to reveal his true identity. That’s why he dares not show up.”

“If the Sword Sovereign really is the Sect Master,” Hu Mo added with a smirk, “it would be seen as nothing more than a self-staged drama…” His tone carried a trace of disdain.

As they spoke, the gourd emitted a faint glow, its protective array isolating them from the surrounding space.

Jiang Qiong was about to respond when a sudden, overwhelming sword intent erupted from the South Gate. A crushing pressure followed, surging from the southern horizon.

Her head snapped up, and Hu Mo followed suit, both staring intently toward the gate.

Han Ming stepped forward a hundred zhang, planting his sword case firmly in the ground. The bottom sank into the soil as the case opened, ejecting two gleaming swords to his sides.

Resting his right hand atop the sword case, Han Ming unleashed a boundless sword intent, shaking the spectators to their cores.

Before most onlookers could fully register his movement, a streak of sword energy roared in from the horizon. It cut through the mountains and forests in its path with unstoppable momentum.

In the blink of an eye, the sword energy clashed with Han Ming’s radiant blue sword qi, which formed a towering light barrier nearly 200 zhang tall. The collision shredded Han Ming’s barrier as though it were paper.

Stunned, Han Ming looked up, his pupils reflecting a single leaf.

Boom!

The leaf streaked past his head, sending his black hair whipping wildly in the wind and forcing him back two steps.

On the city wall, every cultivator’s face turned pale. Zuo Yijian, reacting instinctively, raised his arm to shield his son. He had caught a faint glimpse of the object hidden within the sword energy.

Another deafening explosion followed, shaking the city walls violently. Though the walls held firm, a leaf embedded itself in the stone, surrounded by spider web-like cracks.

Han Ming steadied himself, stepped forward again, and drew two swords from his case. His gaze fixed on the horizon as he awaited the next strike.

The leaf that had passed returned to the heavens, carried by a howling wind that swept up everything in its path. Trees were uprooted, debris filled the air, and mountains trembled. �

Unmoving, Han Ming stood tall, his robes billowing behind him, emphasizing his robust frame.

All eyes—whether from the gathered spectators, the disciples within the sect, or cultivators in the sky—were locked on him. The tension was palpable.

The Sword Sovereign had arrived!

“Wow! Master, you’re amazing! What kind of sword art was that? Teach me!” An Hao exclaimed, hopping with excitement after snapping out of his stupor.

Gu An took the leaf from An Xin’s hand, causing her to look at him with wide-eyed anticipation.

“That was the same sword art I just taught you. Once you’ve mastered it, you’ll be able to do the same. However, true mastery of the sword is about returning to simplicity—there’s no need for such grandeur to achieve unstoppable power.”

Gu An spoke softly, then flicked An Xin’s leaf forward.

An Hao and An Xin followed the leaf with their eyes as it drifted ten steps before suddenly accelerating, vanishing like a bolt of lightning.

This time, there was no deafening explosion or earth-shattering shockwave. The leaf moved quietly but blindingly fast, appearing deceptively simple.

“I prefer techniques with a lot of noise. It’s more intimidating!” An Hao chuckled mischievously.

Gu An placed a hand on each of their shoulders, and in a flash, the three of them vanished.

Han Ming now held two swords, poised and ready.

The air was still. Every cultivator watched with bated breath, waiting for the Sword Sovereign’s next move.

Suddenly, Han Ming’s pupils contracted sharply. He released the two swords in his hands and began forming hand seals. The final sword in his case flew out, joining the others to form a trio of swords circling him.

With a forward gesture, the three swords shot ahead, their sword qi intertwining to form three colossal dragons of energy. These dragons tore through the landscape, uprooting trees, raising dust, and shaking the heavens. Cultivators in the air were thrown back by the sheer force of the display.

Then, from the horizon, a faint glint appeared—a single leaf, wrapped in swirling sword energy.

It’s here!

Han Ming’s focus sharpened. This leaf lacked the overwhelming presence of the first one, but his instincts screamed that it was even more dangerous.

The leaf abruptly accelerated, hurtling forward like a streak of starlight.

The leaf transformed into a brilliant streak of light, annihilating Han Ming’s sword qi in an instant. His three swords were flung backward, spinning wildly before crashing to the ground. Before the weapons had even settled, the leaf shot straight toward Han Ming.

So fast! Damn it!

Han Ming’s face paled as panic set in. Reflexively, he thrust his palm forward, releasing a wave of energy as his robes shimmered with golden light, forming the projection of a massive golden bell around him.

Boom!

The leaf smashed through the golden bell as if it were paper, embedding itself in Han Ming’s right shoulder. The force hurled him backward, shattering the ground beneath his feet as he crashed into the city wall.

The impact sent cracks spidering through the stone, though the wall itself remained intact—not because of its sturdiness, but because Gu An had carefully controlled the leaf’s power to avoid destroying it entirely.

Han Ming hung limp against the wall, blood dripping from his mouth as his head drooped, giving the appearance of a man on the verge of death.

“Master…”

On the trembling wall, Zuo Lin clung to the stone, shouting in alarm.

A collective gasp swept through the crowd.

The Da Yu Sword Maniac, utterly defeated by the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path, and with just two leaves?

The difference in power was staggering.

“Flying Leaf Sword Immortal! The Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path is the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal!” a Taixuan Sect disciple cried out, his voice trembling with excitement.

Though unspoken until now, the realization dawned on everyone present.

On the gourd-shaped artifact, Hu Mo opened his mouth to speak but found no words, his expression frozen in disbelief.

Ye Lan stood atop her building, her eyes shining with awe as she gazed at the lingering sword energy in the sky.

What level of cultivation was required to wield such power—power that seemed divine?

From the shadows, Shen Zhen darted to the ground, pulling out pen and paper to sketch the image of Han Ming pinned against the wall.

Under the blue sky and amidst rolling hills, a small town nestled by a great lake.

“Whatever happens, don’t mention me to anyone. Just say you’re from this town,” Gu An’s voice echoed telepathically.

An Hao and An Xin landed lightly in a narrow alley, turning back instinctively to see that Gu An had already vanished.

The alley was flanked by moss-covered earthen walls. An Xin opened her mouth to speak, but An Hao clamped a hand over it and whispered, “Sister, let’s go catch frogs!”

His eyes signaled her to play along, and only when An Xin nodded did he release her.

The two then walked out of the alley, quickly distracted by the bustling street beyond. Smiling uncontrollably, they marveled at the lively market.

For all their precociousness, they were still children.

Elsewhere, Gu An removed his mask and changed into a simple blue Daoist robe before entering a nearby inn. Having ventured out, he decided to enjoy the town’s mortal pleasures for a while.

On the inn’s second floor, he found a table by the window and ordered the establishment’s signature dishes and wine. Gazing down at the streets below, he observed the vibrant mix of street vendors, wandering martial artists, and a handful of cultivators.

The conversations around him were filled with tales of heroic deeds and martial rivalries, evoking a faint sense of nostalgia.

Before his food arrived, Gu An suddenly felt a powerful divine sense sweep across the town.

Someone’s looking for me.

The divine sense passed quickly, leaving no further disturbances. Gu An smirked, unbothered, and decided to continue relaxing.

As night fell, the town remained lively. Lanterns cast a warm red glow over the streets, and the shimmering rivers that wound through the town reflected the light, adding to its charm.

Walking onto a stone bridge, Gu An’s brow furrowed slightly.

He detected a faint trace of demonic energy infiltrating the town. Though weak—around the level of a Second-Rank Demonic Beast, equivalent to the Foundation Establishment stage—the demon’s cautious behavior intrigued him.

Despite the apparent lack of active cultivators in the town, the demon moved as if wary of something. Gu An decided to observe it, curious about its motives.

As he followed the trail of demonic energy, he passed a courtyard.

“Junior Brother Gu!”

An aged voice called out, tinged with surprise and hesitation.

Gu An turned, spotting an old man in the courtyard. The elder had a hunched back, white hair, and looked to be in his seventies or eighties.

Gu An frowned, a thought occurring to him as he hesitated. “Senior Brother Zhang?”

It had been so long that Gu An had almost forgotten Zhang Chunqiu’s presence and aura. Moreover, Zhang Chunqiu’s appearance and build had changed significantly, making him nearly unrecognizable.

The old man quickly stepped out of the courtyard, his face alight with excitement. “It really is you! I thought the figure on the bridge looked like you, and it turns out I was right! Junior Brother Gu, what brings you here? Are you out on a mission as an Outer Sect Disciple?”

Gu An nodded. “More or less. Senior Brother, why are you here?”

What a coincidence this was!

Zhang Chunqiu laughed and said, “This town is the wealthiest one near the Taixuan Sect. I’ve decided to spend my retirement here.”

That explained a lot.

Gu An had chosen this town precisely because its bustling population made it safer.

Zhang Chunqiu grabbed Gu An’s wrist enthusiastically. “Come in and chat for a while. You’re not in a hurry, are you?”

“No rush at all,” Gu An replied, noting that the courtyard seemed empty. Still, he couldn’t help but wonder about Xiao Lian’s whereabouts.

He had once overheard Zhang Chunqiu muttering to himself and learned that the senior brother had left the sect to search for a woman named Xiao Lian.